Acorda Therapeutics Presents Data from its Phase 3 Study of
Fampridine-SR in Multiple Sclerosis at the American Academy of
Neurology Meeting

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 2, 2007 - Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.(R)
(Nasdaq: ACOR) today presented data from a Phase 3 clinical trial
of Fampridine-SR in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) at the
American Academy of Neurology meeting. Andrew Goodman, M.D.,
Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Center at the University of
Rochester, presented top-line results on walking ability, leg
strength, spasticity and clinician and subject global impressions.
Dr. Goodman also presented a review of safety data.

Presentation Highlights

The prospectively-designed analysis plan for the study was based
on a responder criterion, defined as a consistent improvement in
walking speed, as measured with the Timed 25 Foot Walk. A
significantly greater proportion of people taking Fampridine-SR
were Timed Walk Responders compared to people taking placebo (34.8
percent vs. 8.3 percent, p less than 0.0001). Increased response
rate with treatment was seen across all four major (relapsing and
progressive) types of MS.

The mean increase in walking speed, compared to pre-treatment,
for Fampridine-SR treated Timed Walk Responders was significantly
greater at every visit during the treatment period, compared to
both Fampridine-SR Timed Walk Non-Responders and placebo treated
patients (p less than 0.0001). The average increase in walking
speed over the treatment period, compared to baseline, was 25.2
percent for the drug treated Timed Walk Responders vs. 4.7 percent
for the placebo group. In follow-up visits, at two and four weeks
after the end of the treatment period, Responder and Non-responder
groups returned to their baseline walking speeds.

The clinical significance of the consistent response on the
timed walk was validated in the trial primarily by the 12-Item
Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12), a patient
self-assessment of walking disability. There was a statistically
significant improvement in the MSWS-12 score for walking Responders
compared to Non-responders (p less than 0.001). In addition, the
mean scores on all 12 questions in the MSWS-12 were better for the
Responder group than the Non-responder group.

Subject Global Impression and Clinician Global Impression scales
were used as secondary validators of clinical meaningfulness. Both
measures also showed statistically significant improvement among
Responders compared to Non-responders (p = 0.0010 and p less than
0.0001, respectively).

Statistically significant increases in leg strength, as measured
by the Lower Extremity Manual Muscle Test (LEMMT), were seen in
both the drug-treated Timed Walk Responders (p = 0.0002) and the
drug-treated Non-responders (p = 0.046), compared to
placebo-treated patients.

Andrew Blight, Ph.D, Chief Scientific Officer of Acorda
Therapeutics, commented, "Walking impairment is one of the most
pervasive and serious disabilities afflicting people with MS, and
there are no currently approved therapies that are indicated to
improve walking in this population. Fampridine-SR, if approved, may
offer a novel treatment for improving walking ability in people
with MS, one that may be complementary to currently available
therapies. In this study, we also saw improvements in measures of
leg strength and spasticity compared to the placebo group. In
particular, even the Fampridine-SR group that did not show a
consistent walking improvement still showed a statistically
significant improvement in leg strength compared to the placebo
group. Further clinical studies would be required to determine
whether such additional improvements may be clinically
significant."

Study discontinuations due to adverse events occurred in 11
(4.8%) of the 229 Fampridine-SR-treated patients, and none of the
72 patient placebo group. Three of these events were considered
serious: influenza, sepsis and anxiety. The anxiety was considered
probably related to treatment. A focal seizure, observed during the
sepsis, was considered possibly related to treatment. An additional
13 patients in the Fampridine-SR-treated group experienced various
serious adverse events but none of these led to discontinuation
from treatment and none was considered related to treatment. Most
non-serious adverse events were rated as mild to moderate in
intensity and observed at similar rates in Fampridine-SR and
placebo groups. Some events were seen more frequently in the
Fampridine-SR group (insomnia, fatigue, back pain, balance
disorder) while upper respiratory infection was more common in the
placebo group. Overall, the safety data were consistent with
previous experience.

Study Design

The double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was designed to
evaluate the safety and efficacy of Fampridine-SR in improving
walking ability in people with MS. The trial, which enrolled 301
individuals at 33 MS centers in the United States and Canada,
recruited patients between 18 and 70 years old with a definite
diagnosis of MS and some degree of walking disability. The study
was open to people with all types of MS, including
primary-progressive, secondary-progressive, relapsing-remitting and
progressive-relapsing. Participants were permitted to remain on a
stable regimen of their current medications, including
immunomodulators. Secondary endpoints for the trial included the
Lower Extremity Manual Muscle Test, the Ashworth Score for
spasticity, and Subject and Clinician Global Impressions. Subjects
were randomized to 14 weeks of treatment with Fampridine-SR (n=229)
or placebo (n=72), a 3:1 ratio of drug to placebo. The safety
measures in this trial included a physical examination and vital
signs at each study visit, ECG, laboratory tests, and tests of drug
plasma concentration in addition to adverse event monitoring.

Key inclusion criteria for the study included the ability to
complete the Timed 25 Foot Walk twice at screening with times
averaging between 8 and 45 seconds, having a confirmed diagnosis of
MS and having a stable condition. Key exclusion criteria included a
history of seizures, having previous treatment with fampridine or
having an MS exacerbation within 60 days of screening.

About MS

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, usually progressive disease of
the central nervous system in which the immune system attacks and
destroys the structure, and therefore degrades the function, of
nerve cells. Approximately 400,000 Americans have MS, and every
week about 200 people are newly diagnosed. Most are between the
ages of 20 and 50, and women are affected two to three times as
much as men. Worldwide, MS may affect 2.5 million individuals.

Over time, MS tends to lead to increasing disabilities such as
walking impairment, muscle weakness, problems with cognition,
speech or vision impairments. Approximately 80 percent of people
with MS experience some form of walking disability. Within 15 years
of an MS diagnosis, 50 percent of patients often require assistance
walking and in later stages, about a third of patients are unable
to walk. These complications may make it harder for people to work
and may interfere with their ability to perform common, daily
activities.

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), the
direct costs of medical care for MS patients in the United States
exceed $6 billion annually. Additionally, a recent NMSS analysis
estimated the total cost of MS, including medical and non-medical
care, production losses, and informal care, at more than $47,000
per U.S. patient per year.

About Fampridine-SR

Fampridine-SR is a sustained-release tablet formulation of the
investigational drug fampridine (4-aminopyridine, or 4-AP). Data
collected in laboratory studies found that fampridine can improve
the communication between damaged nerves, which may result in
increased neurological function.

Fampridine-SR Mechanism of Action

A nerve cell has one extension, called an axon, which it uses to
communicate via electrical signals to other nerve cells. All but
the smallest axons have a special covering of a fatty substance
called myelin that acts as insulation to preserve and speed these
nerve signals, much like the insulating cover of an electrical cord
helps preserve the transmission of electricity.

In MS, the myelin becomes damaged and the axon cannot
effectively transmit electrical impulses. Specifically, the damaged
myelin exposes channels in the membrane of the axon, which allow
potassium ions to leak from the axon, dissipating the electrical
current. Fampridine-SR blocks these exposed channels, and helps the
electrical signals to pass through areas of damage.

Webcast

Acorda will hold a webcast this evening at 7 p.m. Eastern Time.
Study data will be presented and members of the Acorda management
team will be available for a question and answer session. To access
the webcast please log on to
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?p=irol-eventDetails&c=194451
&eventID=1529938 (Due to its length, this URL may need to be
copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove
the extra space if one exists.)

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts,
regarding management's expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or
prospects should be considered forward-looking. These statements
are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially, including Acorda Therapeutics'
ability to successfully market and sell Zanaflex Capsules, the risk
of unfavorable results from future studies of Fampridine-SR, delays
in obtaining or failure to obtain FDA approval of Fampridine-SR,
competition, the ability to obtain additional financing to support
Acorda Therapeutics' operations, unfavorable results from its
preclinical programs, and failure to protect its intellectual
property or to defend against the intellectual property claims of
others. These and other risks are described in greater detail in
Acorda Therapeutics' filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Acorda Therapeutics may not actually achieve the goals
or plans described in its forward-looking statements, and investors
should not place undue reliance on these statements. Acorda
Therapeutics disclaims any intent or obligation to update any
forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring
after the date of this press release.

About Acorda Therapeutics

Acorda Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing
therapies for SCI, MS and related nervous system disorders. The
Company's marketed products include Zanaflex Capsules(TM)
(tizanidine hydrochloride), a short-acting drug for the management
of spasticity. For full prescribing information, please go to
www.zanaflexcapsules.com. Acorda's lead clinical stage product,
Fampridine-SR, recently completed a Phase 3 study in people with
MS. The Company's pipeline includes a number of products in
development for the treatment, regeneration and repair of the
spinal cord and brain.

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